MGV – Barton and Roberts

Posted: Friday, March 19, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2k8, Frank, Louis and Me! | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on MGV – Barton and Roberts

So…If you didn’t read yesterday’s post (Change of Heart…Just in Time) be sure to.  Otherwise, this one MIGHT not make a whole lot of sense.

I wonder…what would have happened if we decided to go out to dinner that night…or if we hadn’t gone out on Saturday night…or if I had in fact kicked Louis to the curb before this night….if I hadn’t given him another chance like my friends were encouraging….or if we had met back in the summer of 2007 instead of the end of December. ANY number of decisions could have changed the rest of this story…in SOOO many ways.  Personally…I’m thankful they turned out the way that they did.  So, I had a change in heart…just in time…for such a time as this.  To be there…the night Frank got shot…..4 weeks after Louis and I had our first date.

Let’s pick up there.

view from the breakfast nook window (Frank was between that pothole and the gutter)

It was about 8:30p on that Sunday night, January 27, 2008.  After seeing the crime from the breakfast nook window, Louis went running out the door…stepping off the retaining wall (this was b4 the fence was built) onto the sidewalk and into the curb where the victim laid.  He stopped and just looked at him for a moment…and I wondered…what is he doing?  And mentally screamed…Give him first aid!!!  I found out later that Louis was stopping to say a quick prayer before he did another thing. (Shame on me!!!)

I ran back into the house to grab some towels sitting on the dryer and some plastic grocery bags to use as gloves.  I had been first aid trained many years ago, but have never had the use for the training (gratefully).  Neither of us are medically trained, but we did have the Holy Spirit to guide us…and that was all the wisdom we needed!  Louis took his lower body and I took the upper body.  Frank was laying on his right side with his head in my lap.  Not knowing whether a bullet had hit his spinal column or not, I braced his head in my lap.  At that time, we found 3 wounds – left shoulder, gut and left leg.  Later we learned that he was shot 9 times – left shoulder, left leg, right upper chest, right hand, and 5 times in the gut.

view from the back door/deck

As he laid there while we attended to his injuries, I encouraged him and asked him a few pertinent questions ~ name, next of kin and her number, who shot him (he didn’t know), age, etc.  Only one other person came to his assistance, held his hand for a moment, prayed and ran back in the house.  I was so thankful for my neighbor!  No one else came.

Then, Frank stopped talking to me.  As his head laid in my lap, I encouraged him, prayed and stated, Frank…I know you are scared. I know that you are hurting.  But, we are here to help; and you are going to fine.  If you can’t say another word, just call on the name of Jesus.  There is power in just His name.  At this very second, Frank reached up with his left hand and grabbed my thigh.  I knew then…that he was calling on the precious, healing name of Jesus.  Frank would indeed live.

Although we had told the kids to stay inside, I remember looking up to see Lil Mike standing on the retaining wall looking down.  What a frightening scene for a 14-year-old to see up close.  Not to mention, I found out later that he knew Frank.  I yelled for them to get inside…only for them to move to the front porch where they could still see from a distance.

The first responders (police, fire department, and ambulance) started to arrive.  It was so surreal.  Watching over Louis’ shoulder as the yellow tape was strung and people started gathering behind it.  Fire Trucks. Police Cars. Sirens. ambulance. One officer gathered information from me while I was still with Frank.  The paramedics arrived; and I was able to given them vitals:

multiple.gunshot.victim.name.age.no.pulse.breathing.2.times.a.minute.

Satan meant for him to die, but our Lord.  He has other plans for Frank!

Just for my friend, Jeanine…

Posted: Tuesday, March 9, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2k7, Louis and Me! | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

I have to admit…I have been very preoccupied the last couple of days.  I typically write the first draft of my post a day or 2 in advance….and then tweak it as the “due date” looms.  Well…due to distractions that regular life has brought me AND the recent funeral today plus the death of my neighbor’s grandson…I’m doubly distracted and not processing very well.  So, I’m picking an easy (and welcomed!) topic today!  Back to Louis and Me!!!  YAY!!  I can hear my friend Jeanine cheering!  She encourages me to write more…and not to leave her hanging because she hasn’t heard the story before!  So, Jeanine…this is for you!!!  Thanks for your encouragement!!  I need it!  btw – check out her beautiful photography blog by clicking her name anywhere in this post!

Ok…so I left off with praying for the other ½ of my pair and Don telling me about a guy who never calls….right?  If you need to catch up….click Louis and Me! in the sidebar to the right…

Our 3 Lists Written in 02.07. 1 down...2 to go! (Yes...out of focus on purpose!!!)

Marc continued to come into work…encouraging me…and telling me that he had been “puttin’ in knee time” for me!  I still had my own copy of the list that I was praying over…along with my 2 friends’ lists (who I am STILL praying for!!!!!).

The work merger had been announced in the spring…and we were alllll wondering…whether our jobs were moving to St Louis (StL).  That fall, the word came.  Yes, my team’s jobs were moving.  I was a leader of about 40 people in 2 locations, Richmond and StL….with about 25-30 people in Richmond…and they were deciding that all the jobs had to located in StL.  I was praying for my team and me…for good decisions. (btw – some of them are still looking for jobs if you know of any open HR/Recruiting gigs in Richmond!!!)

I spent a many many night on my face asking the Lord if I should move to StL.  I said…if that is what you are asking, then that is what I would do.  I asked Him if I would meet my other ½ in StL?  But that just never landed on me right.  The Lord had said I would meet the other ½ of my pair to serve SBH.  So how could I move, right?

But, I prayed for confirmation.  And received it.  I told my manager that I would NOT make the move.  No amount of money or job position could convince me to move. But, fears set in.  How would I make a living?  Where would I get a job, etc?  It was definitely a faith building time for me!  I had to trust the Lord.

Meanwhile, I was sooo sure that I was going to meet the other ½ in December 2007, I stopped praying for it!  Yes….let me repeat, I stopped praying for it to happen.  I even told Marc to stop praying…but he insistently prayed although I said that God had already answered.  (Love me some Marc Lundy!!

Before long, I joined a short 6-week Bible study at Needle’s Eye Ministries on Faith.  It was now October-November 2007…coming up on the December date the Lord gave me!  Figuring…if there was anytime I needed faith…I needed it now.  This group of about 25 women gathered every week for 6 weeks at their office.  I barely knew a soul!!! After Susan led us in our study, we always closed in prayer.  I shared my story and asked them not to pray for my other ½ in the same way – that he would show…but to actually pray FOR him to prepare him.  I often wondered if he knew what he was about to get himself into.  So, the ladies agreed to join me in praying FOR him.  I thank God for these ladies, whose names and prayer requests are in that journal!  As I look down the list this evening, I wonder what other prayers have been answered?!?!

But, allow me to remind you…nearly 2 years had gone by since I prayed for the “bone” in December 2005.  I had been praying for God to send me a husband.  Over the following year, 2006, the Holy Spirit had used many situations, Don Coleman and Luke 10:1-7 to change my desires and my prayers. In early 2007, I had started praying for the other ½ of my pair in ministry to SBH.  I had begun praying the will of God instead of Marti’s.

Learnings for me,

  • Take prayer requests seriously.  If you say Yes to pray for someone, be sure to do it.  Don’t take it lightly.  It’s serious business!!
  • Be careful what you pray for….you just might get it!
  • I’m often astounded at the sheer number of people God uses in this story.  He doesn’t need to use us, but it is sooo fun when He does.  At any point, if someone said “NO! Lord!”…the story may have turned out differently.  Just like the story of Marcellous.  If Marc, Emmanuel or I had said “NO! Lord!” at any point…the results might look different.
  • These stories consistently remind me of the importance of listening and obeying.  We are robbed of the blessing of being used by God when we say “NO! Lord!”  Like the Nike slogan….”Just do it!” comes to mind!

Jeanine…sorry, I am going to leave you hanging…..AGAIN!  Hugs to you!

Here.Am.I.

Posted: Monday, March 8, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2k10, 2k7 | Tags: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Here.Am.I.

This is a post that I started yesterday.  Actually it was the 2nd half of yesterday’s post….which would have been WAY too long.  So…here it is now, as promised.

Shortly after attending the conference, I found myself reading Encounter God in the City by Randy White.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to discover the exceptional power of experiential discipleship and transformational experience.  Here are a few notes from my journal while reading this book…

  • I’m living intentionally in a high crime, high poverty neighborhood in the city.
  • Cities – not just an area to serve, but to grow my faith and discover a meaningful life where I can be transformed.
  • I will be a repairer of broken walls and restorer of streets with dwellings.
  • Making things the way they should be

IN people,

BETWEEN people, and

FOR people

Human beings dwelling in peace in all relationships with God, self, fellows and nature.

  • Holy Pestering of city bureaucracy

Psalm 82:3-4

2 “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? Selah

3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

I am reminded of the story in Luke 1:26-38 of when the God sent the angel Gabriel who appeared to Mary.  Gabriel said that the Lord was with her and that she was highly favored.  She asked a simple clarifying question.  After hearing the answer, Mary then responded, I am the Lord’s servant.  May it be so, Lord.

Now that I am reminded of all of this…what now?  Lord, as my job soon comes to an end…what do you want me to do?  This time, Lord…it’s not “Not me, Lord! I’m not ready!”  This time…it is “Here am I…your servant….may it be so!  Lord, may it be so.”

On a side note…The funeral for my colleague was wonderful and uplifting!  I also spent some time with my neighbor this evening. She’s in good shape…. considering.  Her hope and trust is in the Lord!  It was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  I understand there were plenty of witnesses.  Pray for justice!  Please keep both families in your prayers.

Do Whatever He Tells You

Posted: Sunday, March 7, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2k7 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Do Whatever He Tells You

My Journals from the Last 5 Years

Just today I found my journal for 2007….here are some clips from it.  I’m glad I found it and had a chance to read it again.  It reminds me of God’s faithfulness and what he was stirring in my heart 3 years ago!!!  There’s definitely a theme of hearing and doing!  And bringing God glory.

12.31   James 1:22-25

  • When the Holy Spirit reveals something…ACT.  Do something about it.  Don’t walk away. Or you’ll forget.  Blessings come from listening and acting.

1.6       ComChap Church Service (don’t know the scripture reference)

  • Go out into the world…uncorrupted – a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society.
  • Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God.
  • May my life bring glory to God.  I want to be fresh air!!!
  • Church – end of service…read lambs among wolves…the windows being shot out of my old car.

The weekend of 1.19-20.2007 – Kay Arthur Conference at Thomas Road Baptist Church “Whatever He Says, Do It!”  My friend Grayson and her mom, Judy and I attended this conference, which was so full of good stuff.  This is just a few of my notes from it…

  • Guard Your Glory! Don’t exchange your Glory for idols.
  • Glory = honor, true unchanging essence of God
  • Whatever He says – DO IT!!! -> is bringing God glory
  • God, help me guard my glory.
  • John 17 -> Glorify God on earth, accomplish the work HE gives you to do.
  • Guard your Christlikeness!
  • Numbers 14:21 – may it begin now – with us guarding our glory

I don’t remember everything that was going on at this time, but these were the messages I was hearing from the Lord.  I started crying from almost the moment I walked through the door of that conference.  For the Lord was doing a real work in me….preparing me for something.  In addition, we studied the story of Jesus turning the water into wine in John 2 (paying close attention to vs. 4-5).

John 2 (NLT) (click to read the whole scripture)

4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”

5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Throughout the end of 2006 and early 2007, I do remember saying to Him….What do you want from me?  I’m not ready.  Not me!  It’s not my time!  (vs 4)  But it was clear that I was at this conference to hear “Do whatever he tells you.” (vs 5)  It was time to take a risk and do whatever He tells me to do…in spite of what others may think.

Within a week, Marcellous was in the hospital and KK was living with me!  Who woulda thought?

No Love. No Gain.

Posted: Tuesday, March 2, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2k10, Louis and Me! | Tags: , , , , , | 2 Comments

Yes...Louis did good on Valentine's Day with Balloons, Cards, Roses and all other kinds of goodies!!!

As you can see in my tag line, Miss Marti’s House…loving God and others in Southern Barton Heights….  I have been thinking about that lately…what does that REALLY mean?  Jesus tells us in the New Testament…to love God with all your heart, soul, strength.  He also then tells us…to love your neighbor as yourself.  So, what does that really look like?  To love like that?

So…I read 1st Corinthians 13 and was struck by verse 3.

3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,but have not love, I gain nothing.

So…I could be doing all this work…sacrificing my time and money, my hopes and dreams…but, if I am not doing it in love…why do it?  So, how often do I respond to those ads on TV or causes on FB because I feel guilty?  How often do I do something for a friend or family because I am shamed into it? Or…when I strike a check to the local non-profit why does that make me feel better. But…if we are doing this out of guilt, shame or obligation…we may feel a little better in the short run….but, God sees straight through to our heart…our motives.  If I do this without LOVE….it’s nothing.  Don’t get me wrong…I’m not challenging us to stop giving!!!!  I’m challenging us to GIVE MORE!!!! because we respond with LOVE while giving.  Let’s take a look at the rest of the scripture….

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails…..

Not long ago, Louis and I were challenged by reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  Francis challenges the reader to replace your name where the word LOVE appears in this part of the scripture.  So, I would say…

“Marti is patient….” OUCH!!!!  Anyone who knows me…knows that patience is a challenge for me!!!   Louis agrees with me here!  Because he has the patience of Job….He is a positively fabulous role model for me!

“Marti is kind…”  Well, I’m basically a kind person.  But, there are times that I am NOT AT ALL kind!  More than likely, my thoughts are NOT exactly kind at all.  You might not see it…but, God knows my thoughts!  OUCH!!!!

Then…keep reading it….Marti does not….envy (ow!), never… boastful (pain!), proud (burn!), rude (yee-OW!), self-seeking  (not me!), not easily angered (ache!), keeps no records of wrongs (who me?), etc. etc.

I’m gonna challenge you like Francis Chan challenged us….Read this scripture, replacing your name….see what hits you!

So…should I change my tag line to TRYING to love God and others?  Nah…I don’t think so.  I’m doing the best I can right now.  I am loving God and others…and I am learning how to love more….every day.

I’m a work in progress…moving TOWARD Christ…the ultimate lover.


RAIN…

Posted: Monday, March 1, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2k10, 2k7 | Tags: , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Again…

Matthew 11

28.  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

29.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest for your souls.

30.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

The last 2 posts told the story of a family who was in distress for a variety of reasons…and things did NOT turn out the way that any of us felt like they would..or the way that we wanted them to.  I wanted Sondra to go back to the hospital….to choose life.  I have no doubt that is what her children wanted as well.  I thought things would be better when KK lived with me.  To have some stability…love, etc.  But…that too didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to.

But, I am thankful that God was with me all the time.  Check out this video…this kinda explains how I was feeling during the time…that is was raining…a lot!

NOOMA Rain | 001

Lambs Among Wolves

Posted: Friday, February 26, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2k7 | Tags: , , , , , | 4 Comments

Luke 10:3

“Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.”

Mid January of 2007, I was sitting in church on Saturday night.  During our closing reflection time, God told me to read Luke 10 again.  I was stunned.  I asked God, “what in the world for?  I have read it umpteen times.  What more could I glean from this passage?  I had already gotten so much out of it.”  But, I had learned the importance of obedience and sat down and read it again.  This time, “I am sending you out like lambs among wolves” jumped right off the page at me.  “Why are you showing me this?  I am safe in my neighborhood.  Nothing has happened to me.”  I had this sense of security in my neighborhood.  I was confident…possibly over confident.

Even Everett, one of my new-found friends, assured me that I was safe.

I was walking home one night from Cindy and Billy’s house, just a short 2 blocks away, when Everett snuck up on me on his bike.  I gave a quiet scream…and fussed at him, “You nearly scared me to death!  Don’t ever do that again.”  Everett quickly said, “No one is going to mess with you.  You’re a child of God.”  You see, Everett and I had never talked about the Lord.  Everett was my handyman.  He was the one who cut my grass, shoveled my snow, raked my leaves.  Everett is a guy who chose to live in a make-shift shed between 2 bushes behind someone’s house. He picks up odd jobs to help pay for batteries, kerosene, candles, and meals.  (Side note, Everett now not only completes odd jobs for me, he is also my friend and brother in Christ.  We often share breakfast together on Saturday or Sunday mornings.  All the while, talking about the goodness of God and listening to Bobby Jones Gospel.  He’ll come over and watch a football game with me and the kids…and now Louis.  It serves a two-fold purpose.  He’s warm…and he gets to watch the game.  He still struggles  with what life on the street brings, as he was stabbed in 2007 and spent weeks recovering.  But, he continues to Praise the Lord.  You will hear more about Everett in the future.)

OK…back to that January night at church.  Amazing…that is all I can say.  I was on my way home from church that night after reading Luke 10 again, and I decided to check my voicemail.  I had several messages, as it turned out, from my neighbors.  The messages came at the very time the Lord told me to read Luke 10…again.   I had finally gotten a ‘new to me’ car, and my old car sat on the street while I waited for a copy of the title.  Four windows of this car, which was sitting by my house, had been shot out.  God had prepared me for the news.  Praise God!  As I listened to the messages…I just laughed.  Normally, I would have been angry or scared.  But, I knew that God was in control.  My reaction was so much different from it would normally be.  My neighbors were at my house when I got there.  Everett quickly volunteered to sweep up the glass (for free, this time!)  We believe that it wasn’t an intentional attack, but more than likely kids playing.  But, it was still a bit unsettling.

I had not yet told my parents about my car, because I didn’t want them to worry.  About a week or so later, I was visiting Mom and we were chatting in the bedroom.  Mom began to cry as she shared with me her worried for my safety.  That Micah (one of the pastors at her church) had preached a sermon a few weeks earlier where she became overwhelming concerned for me.

In Matthew 14:22-36…Jesus MADE the disciples get on the boat…and go ahead of him…knowing that rough seas…rough times were ahead.  And that He would be glorified.  That Peter’s faith (and all who watched!) would be increased.  Mom cried as she shared this Word with me.  That…the Lord would PUSH me on to the “boat”…my faith and others’ faith would be increased!  That God would be glorified in the end.  Mom had shared…that as my mom she wanted me to move out the neighborhood, but as my sister in Christ…she encouraged me to stay because she knew that God was in control and He would be glorified.

But, I am getting a little ahead of myself.  I knew that Satan didn’t like what was happening in SBH, when the ongoing attacks started in late December of 2006.  It was a good Word of encouragement from my Mom.  I am thankful that she loves Jesus and brought me up in the ways of the Lord.

Don, Luke, Jesus & Marti

Posted: Thursday, February 25, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2k6, 2k7, Louis and Me! | Tags: , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Sorry….this is a longer post!  But, hang in there!!!  It’s a good one!  I promise!

Luke 10

  1. After the Lord…sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.
  2. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

God gave me strength during some hard conversations.  Some close friends and family members were never super thrilled about me moving into this neighborhood.  They loved me and feared for my safety.  One close family member gave me a particularly hard time.  Finally, I asked him…”If God called me to go to Africa, China or Brazil to do His work, how would you feel?”  He quickly agreed that he would fully support it.  I respectfully shared with him, that God had called me to the mission field, it just happened to be an urban mission field.  I didn’t have to go half-way around the world, but could stay in my own Jerusalem and be about God’s work.  If he or anyone else had a problem with that, they needed to take it up with God…not with me.  I had to concern myself with obeying my heavenly Father first. No one ever said that following God meant it would be easy.  There were friends who refused to come to my house, or only came during the daytime.  But, that is why God called me (not them) to live here.  At times, being obedient means sacrificing.

I didn’t always see it as sacrificial….because it seemed sooo right.  I had a real peace about it.  But, I saw it as an opportunity to expose my circle of influence to something they might not have encountered otherwise.  My friends and family have grown to accept my choice and love my neighborhood and its residents.  They are willing to visit…day or night!  My neighborhood was really not THAT different from my previous neighborhood or theirs.  It just LOOKED different.

2006 had been a trying year in many ways.  I LOVED on these kids….day and night.  And their stories and their needs broke my heart.  There were many lonely times…where I felt like I was all alone in this…..and I was tired.  In retrospect, I was probably trying to do it all alone rather than seeking God’s will and help.  The needs of the community were so overwhelming.  I found myself only seeing the dealers, the prostitutes, the homelessness, the absentee fathers, the struggling single moms, the addicts, the guys hanging out on street corners doing a whole lot of nothing.  Trying to be a light in the darkness.  As a reminder…It’s interesting…in looking back, my journal wasn’t as full as it normally was.  Indicating to me now, that I probably wasn’t praying and listening to God as much as I should have.

In December of 2006, a group of us from church were meeting for lunch.  Rob, my pastor, had brought this group together to encourage us as Christians in workplaces throughout the city.  This is where I first got to know Don Coleman… Pastor Don.  I was sharing the story of my neighborhood, and work.  Don gave me a Word…Luke 10:1-7.

1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

5“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. 7Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

It had been a year, almost to the day, since Kevin (remember Kevin…the bone God tossed me when I prayed for my future husband?) had come into my life.  I had not talked with Kevin but once or twice since that day.  But, I had meditated on Deuteronomy 8 many times.  Now, Don gives me Luke.  Being a quick study, I knew to take this seriously.  After meditating on this Word for weeks, reading it over-and-over again, by mid January, 2007, I felt sure of its intent for me.

–      God was reminding me that he still hadn’t forgotten about me and my singleness, that he had the other ½ of my pair out there somewhere, and we would be in ministry together.  God had sent me (and some day my other ½) to SBH in preparation for Jesus ‘showing up’.  I needed NOT to pray for my future husband….but to pray for the other half of my pair….my partner in the ministry.  If it happened to be my husband…Lord, THAT would be the icing on the cake!

–      I was right where I was supposed to be…at work and at home.  The harvest was plentiful…and the laborers were few.  I had been called to ‘be Jesus’ to people in my life.

–      My house…was a ‘House of Peace’.  Confirming that it was God’s house…not mine and that I was not to ‘force’ my Peace on anyone.

I was about to find out that there was more in that Word than I thought…..

Lookin’ to the Hills

Posted: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2k6 | Tags: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Psalms 121

1.  I lift up my eyes up to the hills – where does my help come from?

2.  My help comes from the Lord.

The kids were attending church with me on a regular basis.  More and more kids became part of my life.  We had sleepovers, watched football games, pick-up street games, etc.  The youth group had officially started at Commonwealth…with Sunday night gatherings, retreats and lock-ins.  Neighbors were starting to call the house “Miss Marti’s House”….and it has stuck.

A women’s small group from my church was meeting at my house several times a month.  I was still regularly meeting with the Lord through reading and studying the Word and prayer….or at least I started off that way.

Not all was great.  I was accepted…by most, but not all.  In some cases, it was clear that I was not welcomed, as a professional white single woman.  The adults didn’t trust me.  Many didn’t understand why I moved in and why I was letting the kids run in and out of the house.  Some didn’t understand WHY in the world would the kids WANT to hang out.  It wasn’t me…it was the “God in Me”… the LOVE and PEACE they felt when they were in my home.  In the presence of the Lord.

Side note:  When I was younger, I used to DREAM of having a houseful of kids….and that we would have the “cool house” where all the kids would want to hang out.  What little did I know…that God would bring that dream true!  What I didn’t expect was that the kids wouldn’t be mine nor…would they be black!

My success at work and my sphere of influence had increased.  I often wondered why God called me to work among some of the wealthiest, and live among what some would call the ‘least of these’.  There was diversity in skin color, but also in education and socioeconomic status.  My two worlds were as divergent as you could get.  I began to wonder what God was up to.  At what point would these 2 paths cross?

Challenges were not just in the community, but they also came at work, where I faced an employee relations situation alleging that I created a hostile work environment based on race…because I talked about my kids.  It was unfounded.

As I reflect on this situation, I realize that Satan will go ALL out, when you ‘sell out’ totally to the Lord.  Satan will only mess with those who he sees as a threat…..because they are in the will of God.  This was simply a distraction.

I also have come to realize….in retrospect…that I must not have been reading and praying like I had done previously.  Let’s just say that my journals are a bit light.  But…I finally figured it out…

I knew where to go.  I went to the Lord.  My help….my strength….it cometh from the Lord.

Reflections from Tuesday’s earlier post…

Posted: Tuesday, February 23, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2k10 | Tags: , , , , | Comments Off on Reflections from Tuesday’s earlier post…

Additional reflections from today’s post….

I was rereading what I wrote earlier this morning…and looking at the picture of the candles.  Note that there isn’t just one candle there.  There are like 5 of them.  1 candle brings light into darkness, but…how much more light comes from the 5?  5 times the light?

It’s important that we gather together….to bring light into darkness.  To come along side those who are following God’s will in these type situations.  I am sooo thankful to my friends and family who shined in the darkness with me during these early days….and today!

If you know someone who is taking chances, making sacrifices, etc. in the name of Jesus…remember to support them…with your PRAYERS, with your finances (if there is a need), with your presence.  It means the WORLD!!!  There were times that it got really lonely…and tiring…and scary.

Sometimes…

it still does.

ps.  Thanks to my friend and wedding photographer, Rebekah O’Dell.  This pic was from my wedding!!!  Love you, Rebekah!!!

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